HOLLAND, MI — Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration has eliminated the Michigan Business Tax and endeavored to secure a new bridge crossing to Canada.

This year, he aims to raise gas taxes to improve Michigan roads, install an Emergency Manager in Detroit and bring the state into compliance with President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley was in Holland Tuesday to explain what’s on the state agenda and build support from the business community at a meeting of the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce.

Snyder faces an appeal from the Detroit City Council to stop the appointment of an emergency manager.

“Detroit has reached the point where the state has to partner with the city. Someone has to be there for the people who live in Detroit, who deserve to have basic government services and efficient operation,” Calley said.

He praised Holland and West Michigan for growth in the community and local businesses.

“This is what it looks like when we all come together and everything works well.”

Calley also explained Michigan's role in "Obamacare":

“I don’t like the Affordable Care Act any more than you do, but it’s gone through all three branches of government and it’s upon us,” said Calley, noting federal funding is provided to support the act.

More than 320,000 Michigan residents will receive health care coverage under Medicaid and the state will receive about $200 million from the federal government in 2014 through 2016. Funding shifts to 95 percent of Medicare expansion costs in 2017 and to 90 percent from 2018 to 2021. Michigan is one of about two-dozen states that have signed on so far.

“This is not a political decision. We’re making a rational economic decision based on facts,” Calley said.

Calley said unpaid emergency room visits by low-income families will decline, Michigan businesses will face lower federal fines if they choose not to provide employees health care benefits and residents will be allowed to keep Medicaid coverage if they take a job.

“The system today encourages people not to work," Calley said. "If an unemployed person takes a job, they lose medical coverage for their family because they no long qualify for Medicaid.”

Calley also made the Snyder administration's case for increasing gas taxes.

“With a fixed cents per gallon, the tax stagnates when prices go up and actually drops because of inflation. Right now, we are operating at 1997 buying power (on road) appropriations,” Calley said.

He said an increase in the gas tax and putting that money to work repairing roads and bridges would add about 12,000 construction jobs. Better roads also would likely decrease individual repair costs from road damage by $80 per vehicle each year.

“What I like about the governor is that he doesn’t sweep things under the rug or kick the can down the road," James Storey said after the meeting. "He tackles the tough issues and, given his track record, I believe he can get these things done.”

“This is a stark contrast to how they deal with things in Washington,” he added.